Man United’s direct way of playing won’t win them major silverware this season, according to Graeme Souness.

Writing in the Sunday Times, Souness says the club will have a good season and be in contention for trophies, but the Champions League and Premier League will still be out of reach.

The former Liverpool captain believes we got a taste of what was to come from Jose Mourinho's side in the 2-1 Super Cup defeat against Real Madrid.

“When push comes to shove Jose Mourinho will revert to a long-ball game, bring on Marouane Fellaini and launch it — and power is a big part of his blueprint,” he wrote.

Nemanja Matic, Romelu Lukaku and Fellaini put the United squad among the biggest in the league and Souness believes that suits their manager.

“It’s the way Mourinho likes to play. He has always liked a big centre-forward. I’ve been on the opposite bench coaching against him, and when things aren’t going the way he wants, he tells his players to go back to front, to get the ball forward quickly.”

And while Mourinho will undoubtedly get the best out of his team, Souness says the better sides will stand up to them.